Keynotes

from CHP Motor Carrier Presentation

Definitions:

Truck Tractor: Motor Vehicle designed for drawing other vehicles; and not so
constructed as to carry a load (load carry space of less than 34 square feet).

Motor Truck: A motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the
transportation of property.

Pickup Truck: Motor truck with a GVWR of less then 11,500lbs., an unlaiden weight
of less than 8,001 lbs. wit an open box bed not over 9 feet in length.

GVWR:

-Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the value specified by the manufacturer as the
maximum loaded weight of a single vehicle (maximum safe load on chassis). The
unladen weight is the actual empty weight of the vehicle.

- Usually located on the drivers door, doorpost, or on the inside left panel.

- Used primarily to determine licensing requirements.

Driver License Class A (12804.9VC)
-Class A DL Required when;
-Any combination vehicle, if any vehicle being towed has a GVWR of
10,001 lbs or more.
- Any vehicle towing more than one vehicle (ie; doubles).
-Any trailer bus
-May operate any Class B or C vehicle.


Driver License Class B (12804.9VC)
- Class B DL required when;
o Any single vehicle with an actual weight of, or GVWR, of more than
26,000 pounds
o Any single vehicle with 3 or more axles.
o Any bus (except a trailer bus)
o Any single vehicle with 3 or more axles or a GVWR of more than
26,000 pounds, towing another vehicle with less than 10,000 lbs.
o Any house car over 40 feet in length.
o May operate any class C vehicle.

Driver License Class C (12804.9VC)
- Class C licensing allows for;
o Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,000 lbs

o Any combination vehicle, if any vehicle being towed does NOT

exceed a GVWR of 10,000 pounds, except:
Fith-wheel travel trailers (NOT GOOSENECK) up to 15,000
pounds GVWR when towing of trailer is not for
compensation (personal use only) over that, restricted class
A License.
Any single vehicle with 2 axles with a GVWR of less than
26,000 pounds towing another vehicle with a GVWR of
10,000 pounds or less.

Endorsements:
- What are the driver license endorsements ?
o T: Doubles /Triples (when towing more than one vehicle)
o P: Passenger (when operating a bus)
o N: Tank Vehicle (when operating a vehicle with a tank)
o H: Hazardous Materials (when placards required)
o X: HazMat/Tank Vehicle (hazmat vehicle with a tank)
o S: School Bus

When above vehicle is operated, it is consider a commercial motor vehicle.

Is there an air brake endorsement? NO! There is no endorsement, there is only a
restriction. The restriction will only apply for air brakes if the vehicle requires an
above endorsement and the driver fails that portion of the DMV test.

Motor Carrier Permit ( Carrier ID)
- Operating authority for a carrier to operate any motor truck on a public
highway.
- Whether the carrier is for hire or not.
- Does NOT apply to pickup trucks, unless the trailer makes the combined
length in excess of 40 feet, and/or there is property transported for hire.

Carrier ID Number:
- Carrier may display a USDOT, PUC, or CAL T Number In place of , or in
addition to a CA Number.
- Where must it be displayed? 34507.5(b) VC
o On the left and right sides of the vehicle, or vehicle combination
o Clearly visible from 50 feet and in contrasting color to the
background.
- Where must it be displayed on a rented vehicle? 34507.5 C VC
o Display of carriers ID is not needed if;
Rental limit is less than 30 days term
Rental contract (or copy) must remain with vehicle
CA number AND Company Name must meet all the same
requirements as before. (as in must still be displayed on the
vehicle often using magnetic signs etc..).

Company Name:

-Where must it be displayed? 27900(A) VC


- On the left and right side of the vehicle, or vehicle combination.

- Display Legibility 27901 VC


-On the left and right sides of the vehicle, or vehicle combination


- Clearly visible from 50 feet.


- In a contrasting color from the background.

Declared Gross Weight:
- Every motor carrier is required to declare their vehicle will never operate
over a given weight, and pays the fees based on that declared weight.
- All commercial vehicles (with a 10,001 + GVWR and operating over
10,000 GVWR) must declare an operating weight the vehicles are issued
2 stickers, which are to be affixed to both sides of the vehicle.
- 15,000 pounds is the lowest sticker

Mechanical:

-Lighting: If it is required to be there, they are required to work.
-Reflectors (motor trucks): Vehicles over 80 inches wide (between 15-60
inches)
- Connection devices/chains: Must be sufficient strength to secure towed
vehicle and in case of break away.
- Roadway Warning devices (triangles): Any motor truck over 80 inches of
width, and any truck tractor is required to have 3 red emergency reflectors
must be the orange triangle type. 25300(a) VC
-Mud Flaps: Requirements only apply to single vehicles or the
rearmost of combination vehicles. 27600 VC
- Tires: Steering axle below 4/32 inch

2/32 on all other tires 27465(b)(2) VC
-Registration Tabs: Any motor truck over 10,000 pounds, and truck tractors
must display current tabs on the front plate 5204(a)VC
-Registration Card: Every owner of a vehicle must maintain a copy of the
registration issued for the vehicle. 4454(a)VC
-License plate illegibility: If the plate is obscured by vehicle components or
dirt 5201VC